Have you ever missed out on company with your cup of tea, coffee, or a munching buddy? Cookies are the answer to this, being one of the most versatile companions for your hot beverage. We have sorted you with these mouth-watering, easy cookie recipes made out of kitchen ingredients at home.

Historically, bakers initially used cookies to check the oven’s temperature. Gradually, with the introduction of sugar, cookies, and cookie recipes became popular primarily in Europe.

And here we are today, with cookies spreading their aroma not just in Europe but in every part of the world with thousands of new, delicious recipes. Especially when the holiday season is around, a jar full of these is never enough.

With Easter celebrated as one of the essential celebratory holidays, trying these recipes will make it unforgettable. Here are 12 effortless cookie recipes to list your spirits.

So put your aprons on with mittens in your hands and get ready to infuse your surroundings with the aroma of freshly baked cookies with these simple cookie recipes!

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies

First up on the list of easy cookie recipes is the chocolate chip cookie recipe for all the chocolate flavor lovers out there. These chewy cookies, with chocolate chips sprinkled like gems, are all you need to lift your mood. Here’s our special chocolate chip cookie recipe:-

Ingredients:-

1. 2 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1½ teaspoons baking powder
3. ½ teaspoon baking soda
4. One teaspoon of sea salt
5. 1 cup packed brown sugar
6. ½ cup melted coconut oil
7. ⅓ cup tahini
8. 6 tablespoons water
9. 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
10. 1 cup chocolate chips/ chopped chocolate/chocolate chunks

Instructions:-

• Preheat the oven to 177 degrees. Line the baking trays with a parchment sheet.
• With the help of a measuring cup, measure and add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a medium bowl and whisk until combined.
• In another bowl, whisk the brown sugar, coconut oil, tahini, water, and vanilla. Whisk until it forms a smooth batter.
• Gradually start pouring the dry ingredients into the bowl of wet ingredients. Fold all the ingredients using a spatula, and finally, add in the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. Scoop the dough onto the tray with parchment paper using a cookie scoop. Place the trays in the oven and bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Once ready, leave to cool for at least 10 minutes.

Your heavenly sweet Chocolate chip cookies with a chewy center and melted chopped chocolate are ready to make your every occasion!

2. Cornflakes Cookies

Cornflakes are not merely a breakfast meal now. With minimum ingredients in less than 10 minutes, you can make a jar full of these munching buddies. Follow the following recipe to make easy-peasy cornflake cookies:-

Ingredients:-

1. 7 1/2 cup of cornflakes
2. 3 tbsp. butter
3. 1 1/2 cup peanut butter (smoothened)
4. 1 cup brown sugar
5. 1 cup corn syrup

Instructions:-

• Take peanut butter, sugar, corn syrup, and butter in a saucepan. With medium heat, constantly stir the mixture until it comes to a boil, melting the butter and sugar.
• Add this mixture to a bowl with cornflakes and mix. Don’t let the mixture cool down.
• Next, use two spoons to put the mixture onto baking paper in the form of dollops. Press together with the spatula and let it cool completely for 15-20 minutes.

The quick yet delicious Cornflakes cookies are ready!

3. Gingerbread Cookies

Next on the list is the recipe for a cookie shaped like a Gingerbread Man, a wholehearted favorite of kids and elders.

This soft cookie with a crumbly texture of sugar right on the top fills your house with a tempting aroma of cinnamon and ginger. Here’s the recipe to bake these heavenly cookies:-

Ingredients:-

1. 2/3 cup of unsalted butter (room temperature)
2. 3/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
3. 2/3 cup molasses
4. 1 large egg and a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
5. 3 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
6. 1 teaspoon baking soda
7. 1/2 teaspoon salt
8. 1 tablespoon each of ground ginger and ground cinnamon
9. 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
10. 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Optional: cookie icing or royal icing with different food colors (for giving life to your Gingerbread Men!)

Instructions:-

• Firstly, take a large bowl and add butter to it. Using a hand-held mixer, beat the butter until completely smooth and creamy. Add the brown sugar and molasses to this softened butter and beat on medium-high speed until combined. Next, beat in egg and vanilla.
• Take flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves in a medium-sized bowl and whisk until combined. Slowly mix the wet ingredients until combined to form a thick cookie dough. Divide the dough and wrap it tightly using a plastic bag or wrap. Keep the dough chilling for a minimum of three hours.
• Preheat oven to 177°C and line large baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Take one part of chilled cookie dough from the refrigerator and roll out the disc until 1/4-inch thick. Cut into shapes and place shapes an inch apart on prepared sheets. Repeat with the remaining disc of dough.
• Bake cookies for about 9-10 minutes and cool completely. Once completely cool, decorate as desired using icing of various colors.

The mouth-watering Gingerbread Cookies are ready to be a part of your celebration.

4. No-Bake Cookies!

The holiday season is full of guests and parties. An immediate addition to your holiday menu can be No-Bake Cookies. Yes, you read it right. No oven, just seven ingredients to achieve these fantastic no-bake cookies. Want to know what’s the secret recipe? Let’s take a look:-

Ingredients:-

1. ¼ cup coconut oil
2. ½ cup maple syrup
3. ¼ cup almond milk
4. 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
5. ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
6. ½ teaspoon vanilla
7. 1½ cups whole rolled oats

Instructions:-

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it aside.
• Melt the coconut oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add the maple syrup, almond milk, cocoa, peanut butter, and vanilla. Whisk to combine and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally.
• Remove from the heat and add in the oats. Use a cookie scoop and put the batter onto the baking sheet. Chill for 30 minutes or until firm. It’s that easy!!

Your tasty, no-bake cookies are ready to be served in less than an hour.

Simple Ingredient Substitutions for Health

Mark Iwadare, the Recipe Creator and Webmaster at LowCarbingAsian suggests making traditional cookie recipes more nutritious without compromising on taste:

“When it comes to making traditional cookie recipes more nutritious without compromising on taste, it’s all about simple ingredient substitutions aligned with your health goals.

To reduce sugar intake, simply replace 25-50% of the sugar with a suitable alternative such as allulose, stevia, or monk fruit. Make sure the chosen alternative has been adjusted to be a 1:1 replacement for sugar.

The difference in taste is hardly noticeable.

For those aiming to cut down on carbs, replacing wheat flour with a low-carb flour like almond flour is an option. Keep in mind that this alteration may slightly change the texture of your cookies, but it significantly reduces the carb content.

Start with a 1:1 replacement, but depending on the recipe, you might need to use a 1:1.25 ratio, meaning 1 cup of wheat flour to 1 1/4 cups of almond flour.

This way, you can enjoy your favorite cookies with a healthier twist.”

5. Rainbow Peanut Butter Cookies

Third, this easy cookie recipe list is as colorful as a rainbow. These rainbow-sprinkled peanut butter cookies add a dash of color to your regular standard cookies.

Bring home the scenic sense of the rainbow at your home. Let’s see what you’ll need to bake these magical pieces of joy:-

Ingredients:-

1. One tablespoon of ground flaxseed
2. 3 tablespoons water
3. 1½ cups all-purpose flour
4. ½ teaspoon baking soda
5. ¼ teaspoon baking powder
6. ½ teaspoon sea salt
7. ½ cup coconut oil
8. ½ cup cane sugar
9. ½ cup brown sugar
10. ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
11. 1 teaspoon vanilla
12. 1 cup rainbow sprinkles

Instructions:-

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for baking the cookies.
• In a small bowl, combine the flaxseed and water and set aside to thicken for 5 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, Measure flour and add baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Combine the coconut oil, cane sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla in a large bowl. Add the flaxseed mixture and mix well.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until well combined. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
• Scoop dough using a 2-inch cookie scoop and roll it into balls with your hands. The dough should be on the dry side. If it’s too dry and crumbly to work with, add water, one teaspoon at a time, until it comes together. Flatten slightly and place on the baking sheet. Use a fork to make cross-hatch marks. Decorate the peanut butter cookies by sprinkling rainbow sprinkles on each cookie—Bake for 12 to 13 minutes. Remove from the oven and sit on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Your delicious cookies are ready in less than an hour to make your day as vibrant as a rainbow!

6. Snickerdoodle Cookies

A cinnamon sugar-rolled cookie instantly enlivens you with the flavor of this spice. Its soft texture is an upgrade to the original chewy and crispy cookies.

Look for the following ingredients in your kitchen and start baking these snickerdoodles:-

Ingredients:-

1. 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2. 2 tsp. cream of tartar
3. 1 tsp. baking soda
4. 1 tsp. kosher salt
5. 1 cup butter (room temperature)
6. 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
7. 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
8. 2 large eggs
9. 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon

Instructions:-

• In a bowl, add flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Whisk them all together to form a smooth mixture.
• Keep the oven preheating at 350⁰F.
• Take another bowl and beat butter and 1 cup of sugar using a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
• Begin adding eggs to the whisked butter and sugar. Fold in the dry ingredients and combine them.
• Take another bowl and combine the remaining ¼ cup of sugar and cinnamon.
• Using a cookie scoop, scoop and roll out dough balls and coat them in cinnamon sugar. Arrange the cinnamon-sugar-coated balls, at least 2 inches apart, on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookies begin to crack. Let the cookies cool on the trays, and then transfer them to a wire rack using a spatula to cool completely.

Your soft, scrumptious snickerdoodles are ready to be accompanied by your evening tea or coffee.

7. Orange Shortbread Cookies

These cookies are all you need to experience the refreshing, tangy orange flavor enhancing your regular cookie recipe.

Take a look at the ingredients and instructions to bake some for yourself and your family this holiday season:-

Ingredients:-

1. ½ cup softened unsalted butter
2. ⅓ cup cane sugar
3. Zest of 1 medium orange
4. 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
5. 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
6. ¼ teaspoon sea salt

For Glaze Preparation:-

1. ½ cup + 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
2. 1 tablespoon almond milk
3. sequin sprinkles for decorating, optional
4. zest of 1 orange for garnish

Instructions:-

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cream the butter in the bowl and add the sugar; beat until fluffy. Next, add the orange zest and orange juice and mix again. Finally, add the flour and salt and mix.
• Roll the dough and, using cookie cutters, cut out desired shapes. Transfer to the baking sheet and bake for 10 to 14 minutes, until the edges are lightly brown.
• After baking, transfer the cookies to wire racks. Make sure to cool the cookies completely before glazing.
• To make the glaze:- Whisk the powdered sugar and almond milk until smooth.
• Decorate the cookies with glaze and orange zest.

Your orange-flavored, glazed cookies are ready.

8. Carrot Cake Cookies

Carrots are a rich source of Vitamin A and hold other nutritional benefits. What if there’s a cookie recipe with carrots? Interestingly, there is.

With the power-packed nutritional values and the delicious cream cheese glaze, here’s the recipe for Carrot Cake Cookies. Its chewy center and crispy edges will make your Easter deliciously memorable. Let’s take a look at the ingredients and instructions:-

Ingredients:-

1. 3/4 cup softened butter
2. 1 cup packed brown sugar
3. 1/2 cup granulated sugar
4. 2 large eggs
5. 1 tsp. pure vanilla extraact
6. 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
7. 1 tsp. baking soda
8. 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
9. 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
10. 1/2 tsp. salt
11. 1 cup shredded carrots
12. 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
13. 1/2 cup raisins
14. 2 cup oats

For Cream Cheese Glaze Preparation:-

1. 1 cup cream cheese (room temperature)
2. 4 tsp. milk
3. 1 cup powdered sugar
4. 1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Instructions:-

• Preheat oven to 350º and prepare a baking sheet using parchment.
• In a medium-sized bowl, take butter and sugar. Beat using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add eggs to this mixture, one at a time, and whisk until properly combined. Now add vanilla to this.
• Combine all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl by taking flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add a mixture of dry ingredients to the butter prepared earlier and mix until combined.
• Stir and fold in shredded carrots, coconut, raisins, and oats and mix until well combined.
• Scoop out balls of dough or rounds onto the baking sheet and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Let it cool.
• To make cream cheese glaze: Take cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a bowl and beat until combined altogether.
• Garnish the freshly baked cookies with the prepared glaze by drizzling it over each cookie. Let it harden before serving.

Your cookies, packed with the goodness of carrots, coconuts, and nuts, are ready to be served. Enjoy Amigos!

Cookies: From Practical to Pleasure

Samantha Odo, a Real Estate Sales Representative and Montreal Division Manager at Precondo describes the evolution of cookies from being used as oven temperature indicators to becoming a global delight, especially in the context of European culinary history:

“If we take a little trip down the culinary history lane, especially in Europe, you’ll notice how these sweet treats have evolved into a global delight.

Back in the day, cookies were more of a practical tool in the kitchen, helping bakers determine if the oven was at the right temperature.

Fast forward to today, and they’ve become a symbol of comfort, joy, and indulgence in many cultures. In European culinary history, cookies have transformed from simple biscuits to intricate delicacies with diverse flavors and textures.

Think about the delightful assortment of Italian biscotti, French madeleines, or the classic English shortbread. Each country has its take on cookies, and they’ve become an integral part of the culinary fabric.

The evolution of cookies mirrors the evolution of taste preferences and culinary craftsmanship across the continent.”

9. Oatmeal and Cranberry Cookies

A perfect example of a healthy munching snack with the goodness of oats and cranberries, this cookie recipe is surely not to be missed.

Its crispy and crumbly texture is what gives it its signature look. To make these, let’s see what you’ll need:-

Ingredients:-

1. 1 cup all-purpose flour,
2. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
4. 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
5. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6. 1/2 cup coconut oil or butter, melted
7. 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
8. 1 large egg
9. 1 large egg yolk
10. 2 teaspoons vanilla
11. 1 1/2 cups whole rolled oats
12. 3/4 cup cranberries (canned)
13. 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional

Instructions:-

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Whisk together the melted coconut oil, sugar, whole egg, egg yolk, and vanilla in a separate bowl.
• Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Add the oats and cranberries. Let the dough sit for 20 minutes while the oven preheats.
• Scoop and roll out dough balls lightly in barely damp hands to make them round. Take the prepared baking sheets and bake the rolled dough until golden for 10 to 11 minutes. Let it cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

Your flavorsome oatmeal cookies with chunks of cranberries are ready to be served!

10. Lemon Cookies

The citrusy concoction of orange zest and lemon is as refreshing as a fine, bright, sunny morning. Lightly crispy on the edges and soft and chewy in the middle, these cookies deliciously melt in your mouth.

The lemon zest adds a deeper flavor, making these cookies stand out.

Ingredients:-

1. 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1/4 cup cornmeal
3. 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
4. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5. 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
6. 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temp
7. 1 cup sugar, more for sprinkling
8. 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
9. 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
10. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11. 1 large egg
12. 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions:-

• Preheat the oven to an oven temperature of 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix the flour, cornmeal, poppy seeds, baking soda, and flaky sea salt in a bowl using a measuring cup.
• Cream the butter, sugar, and zest until well combined in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the oil, egg, and lemon juice and mix until evenly combined.
• Add the dry ingredients to the previous set of components and mix until a dense dough is formed.
• Using a cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Press a little to form flat cookies, and sprinkle the tops with sugar. Bake for 12 to 13 minutes until golden brown. Let the cookies cool completely.

Your perfectly refreshing tea companion is ready to be served for Hi-Tea!!

11. Fudge Cookies

Another easy-to-make recipe on this list of cookie recipes requires no flour. These cookies need some basic ingredients and just 10 minutes to give you a swirling chocolaty delight. Let’s take a look at the ingredients and instructions to make these Flourless Fudge Cookies:-

Ingredients:-

1. Cooking spray
2. 2 1/2 cup powdered sugar
3. 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4. 1/4 tsp.  salt
5. 4 large egg whites
6. 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
7. 1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:-

• Begin by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly grease the oven with cooking spray and preheat it to 350°.
• Take powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a large bowl and, using a spatula, combine them.
• To this mixture, add egg whites, vanilla, and chocolate chips.
• Scoop out tablespoon-size round balls onto prepared baking sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Let it cool on the baking sheet, then with the help of a spatula, transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool.

Your flourless but full of flavor, chewy chocolate fudge cookies with chocolate chips are ready!

12. Thumbprint Cookies

Are you looking for an engaging cooking activity for the kids to join in? Well, Thumbprint Cookies is the following cookie recipe to try.

Your kids will love creating a thumbprint on the cookie and enjoy the taste of these jam-filled cookies.

Ingredients:-

1. 2 cups all-purpose flour
2. 1 cup almond flour
3. ½ teaspoon sea salt
4. 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temp
5. ½ cup granulated sugar
6. 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
7. ½ teaspoon almond extract
8. ½ cup raspberry jam or jam of your choice

Instructions:-

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour and coarse salt.
• Cream the butter, sugar, vanilla, and almond extract in a separate bowl using a stand mixer or hand blender until fluffy. Gradually add the flour mixture and mix until combined.
• Scoop out the cookie dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets. Press down to form round discs and use your thumb to make an imprint or small cavity in the middle of the cookies. Spoon ½ teaspoon of jam onto each cookie.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool.

Your yummy cookies with bright jam-filled in the center and crisp edges are ready to be finished by the kids in no time. Enjoy!

Cookies as Cultural Symbols and Delicacies

Amy Mangrum, the Founder/CEO of House Buying Girls, explains how different cultures embraced personalized cookie recipes:

“Cookies have been a staple in many cultures for centuries. They have evolved from being simple treats to cultural symbols and even traditional delicacies.

Each culture has its unique way of incorporating cookies into its cuisine, using different ingredients and techniques that reflect its history, values, and traditions.

For example, the Chinese make almond cookies during special occasions such as weddings and festivals like the Chinese New Year. These cookies are shaped into coins to symbolize prosperity and good luck for the new year.

In Japan, traditional cookies called wagashi are made from rice flour, red bean paste, and other natural ingredients that reflect the simplicity and purity of Japanese culture.

In Europe, countries like Italy and France have their versions of biscotti—a type of cookie that is twice-baked and enjoyed with coffee or tea.

These cookies often have regional variations, with some regions adding nuts, fruits, or chocolate to the recipe.

On the other hand, Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Norway have their unique cookie traditions, such as gingerbread cookies or krumkake—a thin and crispy waffle-like cookie.”

Closing Thoughts

Cookies come in various textures and shapes, with and without icing, and every sort of customization. But each one of them is uniquely distinct in its taste. A cookie from a cookie jar never fails to enliven your day.

Try these recipes that will surely make you a “cookie person” in no time. These easy recipes are fun to create, and people of every age group will adore you for bringing these recipes to reality. Just the right amount of knowledge and a  great flavor like cake mix cookies or vanilla ice cream are just what you need.

This holiday season, hop on this sweet tooth journey and make it memorable. STAY COOKIELICIOUS!!

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology